(From Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home)Phyllis Mackey Harper, age 85, passed away on November 1, 2021, followed by her loving husband Donald Gene Harper, age 84, on November 2, 2021.
Phyllis and Don, married 63 years, were brought together in love in Purdy, Missouri, at Arnhart Church.
While Don served his country in the United States Navy and later earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Kansas, Phyllis worked locally, helping to support the couple.
From there the couple relocated with Don's career, including to Norman, Oklahoma, where Don served as Associate Director of Program Development at the OU Research Institute, and Irving, Texas, where Don worked as Vice President of Planning and Development at the University of Dallas.
Their path led to the west coast where Phyllis and Don bought a commercial business and later developed commercial real estate and operated retail businesses in Southern California. When the couple eventually moved their family back to Texas, Don continued to commute between Los Angeles and Irving.
As partners in life, Phyllis and Don were also partners in business. Their local ventures included launching enclosed flea markets around the Dallas area, the development of the University Hills Shopping Center, and opening and operating several beauty salons with the now popular suite concept, which was new to the industry at the time.
As partners in life, Phyllis and Don were also partners in business. Their local ventures included launching enclosed flea markets around the Dallas area, the development of the University Hills Shopping Center, and opening and operating several beauty salons with the now popular suite concept, which was new to the industry at the time.
Phyllis's eye for design and Don's engineering expertise were paramount in the development of their businesses, as well as the construction of the family's home in the Fox Glen community of Las Colinas.
As prominent philanthropists of the Irving community, they supported various charities, including the Irving Hospital Guild, the Lyric Stage League, and the Irving Symphony League. Phyllis and Don were active in numerous organizations and enjoyed their memberships in the Las Colinas Country Club, the Junior Book Review, and the Dallas Bridge Club. Phyllis also loved her involvement in the Las Colinas Women's Association and valued her circle of friends from their Fox Glen neighborhood, nicknamed the Foxy Ladies. Phyllis's and Don's joyous personalities and open hearts added to their ease in establishing lifelong friendships in the area.
Phyllis and Don are survived by their only child, daughter Kimberly Horvath, her husband Jeremy Horvath, and their son, Dylan, of Lucas, Tx. Donald Harper is survived by his brother, Larry Harper and his wife Peggy of Neosho, Mo. He is preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Beatrice Harper. Phyllis Harper is survived by her eldest brother, Dayton Mackey and his wife Pearl of Monett, Mo. and eldest sister Doris DeCarlo of Dunwoody, Ga., and her two sister-in-laws Colleen Evans and Lorene Mackey.
She is preceded in death by her two younger siblings, brothers James Mackey and Kenneth Mackey and parents Herschel and Marie Mackey. Both Don and Phyllis are survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
The memorial service will be held at Brown's Memorial in Irving, Texas, and will be officiated by the Reverend Dr. William LaBarr, also of Irving. Graveside services will be held on Monday November 15, 2021 at 2:00p.m. at the Arnhart Cemetery in East Purdy, Missouri with Jason Mackey and Arnold Ray Evans officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri.
Phyllis and Don are survived by their only child, daughter Kimberly Horvath, her husband Jeremy Horvath, and their son, Dylan, of Lucas, Tx. Donald Harper is survived by his brother, Larry Harper and his wife Peggy of Neosho, Mo. He is preceded in death by his parents, Guy and Beatrice Harper. Phyllis Harper is survived by her eldest brother, Dayton Mackey and his wife Pearl of Monett, Mo. and eldest sister Doris DeCarlo of Dunwoody, Ga., and her two sister-in-laws Colleen Evans and Lorene Mackey.
She is preceded in death by her two younger siblings, brothers James Mackey and Kenneth Mackey and parents Herschel and Marie Mackey. Both Don and Phyllis are survived by numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews.
The memorial service will be held at Brown's Memorial in Irving, Texas, and will be officiated by the Reverend Dr. William LaBarr, also of Irving. Graveside services will be held on Monday November 15, 2021 at 2:00p.m. at the Arnhart Cemetery in East Purdy, Missouri with Jason Mackey and Arnold Ray Evans officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Local arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Missouri.
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